Matt Aufdenspring,Mark Boyle
HOUSTON -
A Houston police officer is
accused of raping an underage girl he met at a fast-food restaurant he
frequented.
Ruben Anthony Carrera is
charged with sexual assault of a child under 17. Court documents state Carrera
met the 15-year-old girl at a Chick-Fil-A restaurant, where he would go to eat
for free. A witness claimed to have seen Carrera hugging and kissing the girl
on multiple occasions at the restaurant.
According to court documents,
the girl told investigators that Carrera sexually assaulted her in her bedroom.
She said he stopped because he received a call over his radio. The girl said
Carrera was wearing his police uniform during the incident.
"He's been charged with
sexual assault of a child which is a second-degree felony," prosecutor
Tiffany Johnson said. "He's looking at two to 20 years in prison. Based on
the nature of the relationship with this complaintant, the DA's office believes
that there may be other victims out there. We would like for those victims to
contact the Houston Police Department."
Court documents state police
said Carrera admitted to knowing the girl was only 15 years old, admitted to
visiting her house multiple times and admitted to hugging and kissing her on
several occasions.
"I don't know why an
officer would be with a girl by herself," resident Jack Van Pelt said.
"I guess that'll be something that the courts will have to decide but it's
not a good thing."
Carrera, 27, is being held on
$50,000 bond.
HPD said Carrera is off the job
on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues.
